Learning, Sharing, and Loving God's Creation

Category Archives: Earth Care

If you didn’t sign the letter to the EPA earlier this month asking for stronger limits on carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants, you have another chance. Next Sunday, members of the Creation Care Team will be collecting more signatures to add to the 24 who already signed. Look for a Creation Care Team member with a clipboard before or after the service.

Autumn Leaf Hike on Nov 2

The Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina is hosting an Autumn Leaf Hike at Glassy Mountain Trail at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, this Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 PM. This 1.5 mile hike will include ecological guidance from WNC Alliance’s biologist, Josh Kelly, as well as an interfaith spiritual reflection by Pastor Scott Hardin-Nieri. Register for the hike here!

Monday, September 29 at 7:00 PM, in St. Eugene’s Catholic Church Social Hall, 72 Culvern St, which is just past Asheville Catholic School on Beaverdam Road.

Climate scientist, Deke Arndt, of the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville has been a co-editor for NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and has been instrumental in drafting the government’s annual climate report. As a result of his findings, he has had a personal revelation in terms of our moral obligation concerning our changing climate.

Fracking Rule Comments due September 30

In its last session, the NC General Assembly lifted the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for hard to access natural gas deposits, and it is now legal to frack in the state. The Mining and Energy Commission has proposed rules for how fracking will be conducted and is accepting comments until September 30. Identify yourself as a person of faith and make your voice heard to protect God’s Creation from destructive fracking practices. You can make your comments on-line or sign a letter on-line to the Mining and Energy Commission.

The Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina invites you to a Local Food & Faith Potluck to share a homegrown meal together and reflect on the relationship between food, faith, and creation care. There will be time for socializing and networking, giving thanks for the gift of creation that sustains us, and discussing ideas for the Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina’s programming and next steps. Wake Forest Master of Divinity student, Caleb Pusey, will lead us in a local food, faith, and climate change reflection. In keeping with the theme, a dish made with local ingredients is preferable but not required.

Climate scientist, Deke Arndt, of the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville will speak on Monday, September 29 at 7:00 PM, in St. Eugene’s Catholic Church Social Hall. For the last several years, Deke has been a co-editor for NOAA

(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and has been instrumental in drafting the government’s annual climate report. As a result of his findings, he has had a personal revelation in terms of our moral obligation concerning our changing climate. Deke is an interesting speaker and his message is very important for the well-being of our world and our families. Children 12 or older are welcome to the talk. Child care is available for little ones. Simultaneous interpretation to the Spanish speaking community will be provided. St. Eugene’s Catholic Church is at 72 Culvern St, which is just past Asheville Catholic School on Beaverdam Road.

The Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina invites you to a Local Food & Faith Potluck on Monday, October 6, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM to share a homegrown meal together and reflect on the relationship between food, faith, and creation care. In keeping with the theme, a dish made with local ingredients is preferable but not required. This event will be hosted at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Avenue in Asheville.

Advocacy: Witnessing for God’s Creation New Fracking Rules

In its last session, the NC General Assembly lifted the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for hard to access natural gas deposits, and now it is legal to frack in the state. The Mining and Energy Commission has proposed rules for how fracking will be conducted and is accepting comments until September 30. Identify yourself as a person of faith and make your voice heard to protect God’s Creation from destructive fracking practices. You can make your comments on-line or sign a letter on-line to the Mining and Energy Commission.

Advocacy: Witnessing for God’s Creation New Carbon Emissions Limits for Power Plants

Fossil fuel–fired power plants are the largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change and the EPA has proposed new carbon emission limits for existing power plants. On October 5, look for a Creation Care Team member with a clipboard and sign a letter to Administrator McCarthy supporting carbon pollution limits for existing power plants and help protect God’s Creation.

The Mining and Energy Commission will hold a public hearing about new state fracking rules on September 12. The hearing will be at WCU in Cullowhee at the Ramsey Center, 92 Catamount Road, from 5:00 – 9:00PM. Jane will attend and intends to give oral comments.Asheville area folks who would like to carpool are invited to meet up at Westgate Earth Fare.

The public comment period ends September 30 and comments can be made on-line. NRDC has a letter on-line that you can send to the Mining and Energy Commission.

Everyone present agreed to ask church-goers to sign a paper petition on Sunday, October 5. Jane will have copies of the petition/letter and everyone should bring a clipboard. Jane will collect the petitions that day and send them to the EPA.

Divestment Faith Development Series

At our last meeting in March, we talked about hosting a series of four classes on divestment in the fall. Jane has been in conversation with Nancy McNeil and she thinks that the winter would be a better time for our series. We discussed content for the following class topics.

What is fossil fuel divestment and why should Christians care? Review the theology of why Presbyterians should care about the earth and why we should support divestment. Describe the fossil fuel and other divestment movements. Name organizations that have divested from fossil fuels. Possible leaders – Cam Murchison and Warren Wilson students

Divestment at First Presbyterian. Identify FPC investments, including the Endowment, and amount invested in fossil fuels, if any. If invested in fossil fuels, determine if there is interest in asking the session to consider divesting. Possible leaders – Lucy Keil and Ron Freeman

The Climate March is building up to be a major event and the bus from Asheville to NYC is already sold out. The organizers have developed many activities for people who cannot attend, one of which is a 350 second (5 minutes 50 seconds) sound off at 1:00 PM on Sept 21. Since our church has a bell tower but no bells in it, Cam offered his wife, Joan, to organize a handbell chorus at that time. Jane will ask the Creation Care Alliance of WNC to promote it through their email list and ask churches to ring their bells and also to notify the media.